Though the “#RipJKRowling” hashtag might suggest otherwise, JK Rowling isn’t actually dead. Her career, though, is basically over. This hashtag started trending on Twitter after details about Rowling’s next book were released. In a totally unsurprising twist, it sounds super transphobic.
https://twitter.com/casey_mcquiston/status/1305550864828989445?s=20
British publication The Telegraph released a review of her new novel “Troubled Blood” on September 13. Spoiler alert: they said the book was bad. The news about the plot of “Troubled Blood” didn’t go viral until “Pink News” covered the story on September 14th. The book is about a cis male murderer with a nasty way of catching victims. He lures them into safety by dressing up as a woman. If anyone else wrote this, fans might be interested. This plot coming from Rowling, who has openly hated transgender people and invalidates trans women every chance she gets, is a huge blow.
If she didn't have a history of anti-trans bigotry, this could be an interesting premise for a series of well-done adult novels. Hopefully a serious author would consider the real serious implications of such a tale.
But since she does, it likely won't be any of those things.
— Catherine (@CatherineKiwi1) September 14, 2020
Rowling has effectively turned a significant part of both her fanbase and the book community against her. Not only are Twitter users and ex-fans slamming her, but so are famous bestselling authors. Aiden Thomas, a trans author, tweeted that he was “absolutely DISGUSTED by JKR and Hachette.” Earlier this week, Thomas hit the “New York Times Bestseller List” for his novel about trans men. Also angry was Casey McQuiston, writing, “every day is a good day to stop giving JK Rowling even one precious cent of your money.”
i am absolutely DISGUSTED by JKR and Hachette. i am filled with rage and hate. she is pushing narratives that get trans folks discriminated against, brutalized and murdered.
this is an aggressive act of violence against the trans community.
— Aiden Thomas (@aidenschmaiden) September 14, 2020
In response to today’s comments, Twitter users started “#RipJKRowling.” This hashtag became a snarky way for Twitter users to show that Rowling was essentially “dead” to them. Many also used it to celebrate the death of her reputation and her book sales. The tag got so popular so quickly, that Twitter had to clarify that, no, she isn’t actually dead.
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https://twitter.com/SapphoMode/status/1305543284803153922?s=20
https://twitter.com/msprobellematic/status/1305528371900633088
Rowling has been hit with hate after making transphobic comments in the past. This has been going for years now. Trans people, especially trans women, were shocked and hurt by Rowling’s blatant trans-exclusionary radical feminism. Though it was what she practiced, Rowling took great offense to that term. In 2020 alone, Rowling seems to constantly tweet, retweet, or like a transphobic post.
Earlier this year, Rowling wrote an open letter to the Internet to address the comments being made about her transphobia. Instead of an apology, Rowling actually made things worse for herself but defending her offensive comments. In June, Rowling posted an extremely long letter on her website explaining why she was so against transgender people. In her article, she claimed to have struggles with her own gender identity issues, but grew out of them. She states that this is a common response. “I want to be very clear here: I know transition will be a solution for some gender dysphoric people, although I’m also aware through extensive research that studies have consistently shown that between 60-90% of gender dysphoric teens will grow out of their dysphoria.” As expected, many people did not like this letter.
she’s not dead or anything, but even tom riddle is more alive than her career and reputation ????#RIPJKRowling pic.twitter.com/3LnLLI0QI1
— ِ (@pedrifilm) September 14, 2020
Later, in early July, Rowling compared healthcare for transgender people, which is regarded as a real medical practice that makes individuals feel better about themselves as well as keeps them healthy, to gay conversion therapy, a practice that is widely disrespected and hated for the trauma it has caused. She had all of this bad publicity, and still chose to add fuel to the fire.
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https://twitter.com/findmereading/status/1305549382247424006
Rowling does have some supporters, though. In response to “#RipJKRowling,” her supporters started a “IStandWithJKRowling” hashtag. Some strongly agree with Rowling’s point of view, praising her for being willing to speak out in a way that few would dare to. They call the people who are against Rowling “fragile.”
Just a bunch of narcissistic fetishists and cosplayers mocking a woman who dared to speak the truth. Your self centred fragility is nobody else's problem.#RIPJKRowling
— Hayden Hewitt (@HaydenHewitt) September 14, 2020
The fact the disgusting hashtag #RIPJKRowling is trending on this mess of a platform, tells you everything you need to know about the mindset of these TRAs. Read the comments.
Don’t ever ask me to justify my position on this again.
It’s sick. Just sick. #IStandWithJKRowling
— J. Dreyfus Esq & Master Hobbes (blue tick each) (@DreyfusJames) September 14, 2020
Others are claiming that the amount of hate Rowling gets is due to misogyny. They cite examples of projects by men that did not receive this much hate.
Unsurprisingly the #RIPJKRowling trend is misogyny in full view. If you haven't woken up to the fact women can't even define themselves as different biologically from men (yep, in 2020) without being harassed, maybe it's time you ask why.#IStandWithJKRowling #waronwomen
— Natalie????♀️ (@clovosaurus) September 14, 2020
You must have never heard of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho
— YaBoiMugen (@BoiMugen) September 14, 2020
Rowling’s words are controversial, potentially leading to more hate and violence. Yet, there are still plenty who agree with her. It’s just crazy to think that JK Rowling can invent a world of wizards, witches, and all sorts of fantastical creatures, but has a such a huge problem with transgender people. The biggest irony of all? Rowling published “Troubled Blood” under a pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. Yup, a male name for a female author who denies the existence of transgender people. This could be a good thing for Rowling, though. Based on the swarms of angry fans, it sounds like this could be her first novel to barely sell.
